Tag: Zaka Ashraf

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf has refuted the rumours of a rift between white-ball captain Babar Azam and left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi.

The rumours of tension between the star players have been circulating in the media since Shaheen replaced Babar as the captain of the T20I team in the aftermath of a disastrous ICC ODI World Cup 2023 campaign.

However, Zaka Ashraf, who was serving as the chairman of the PCB Management Committee, at that time dispelled the rumours of rift and claimed that the team unity actually improved after Shaheen’s appointment.

“No, the unity didn’t end [after removing Babar Azam as captain]. In fact, the unity improved. When we told him to play as a player, which is his talent, but as a captain, his performance is not good, he agreed,” he stated during an interview at a local news channel.

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Zaka Ashraf also defended his decision to appoint Shan Masood as the captain of the Test team and Mohammad Hafeez as the team director, while denying rumours of grouping in the team.

“No, there was no grouping. The team was good. And we brought Shan Masood as the captain. He was a very good captain. He is still a very good player,” he added

“And our management, along with the team, Mohammad Hafeez, an excellent cricketer, a very honest person, we brought him along. Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, and these players, we brought them along so that the coaching staff is with the team.”

For the unversed, Shaheen Afridi was removed as captain after one series and Babar Azam was reinstated as the white-ball captain ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2023, where Pakistan crashed out in the first round.

READ: Jason Gillespie to depart for Australia after Pakistan-Bangladesh series

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hosted a Christmas dinner at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, attended by the Chairman Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf along with top PCB officials and Christian employees.

Addressing the guests on this occasion, Chairman PCB Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf said, “I extend my heartfelt greetings to all those celebrating Christmas in Pakistan and around the world. We are delighted that you are part of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

“You have served Pakistan cricket with utmost dedication and the PCB appreciates your efforts. I hope that you and your families celebrate with joy and I wish you well.”

On the other hand, the Pakistan Men’s cricket team took the internet by storm with their kind gesture as they presented Christmas gifts to the Australian players on the sidelines of the training session.

The home side was participating in an indoor practice session for the Boxing Day Test when the Pakistan players including captain Shan Masood and coaching staff surprised the rival team with Christmas gifts.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared the wholesome interaction of the two rival teams.

Warm wishes and heartfelt gifts for the Australian players and their families at the MCG indoor nets 🎁✨ pic.twitter.com/u43mJEpBTR

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 25, 2023

In the video, the Pakistan team can be seen presenting the Australian players and their families with gifts and sweets.

Australia captain Pat Cummins, who appeared emotionally touched in the shared video also expressed his emotions and termed it a great gesture by the touring side.

“That was just great. Just Merry Christmas gifts and lollipops for the kids. So that was great,” stated Cummins.

“We’ve got a good relationship with the Pakistan side. That tour a couple of years ago was really special as well. So really kind and thoughtful of their group to think of us,” he added.

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Earlier today, the PCB unveiled a 12-member squad for the upcoming Boxing Day Test against Australia with wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan replacing his counterpart Sarfaraz Ahmed.

Wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed had a forgetful outing in the Perth Test where he only managed to score seven runs and fell victim to left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc in each of the innings.

The 36-year-old also missed a number of chances behind the stumps which drew massive criticism from the fans.

Besides this, fast-bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf also failed to retain his spot in Pakistan’s Playing XI, whereas, pacers Mir Hamza and Hasan Ali were named in the 12-member squad.

Pakistan squad for second Test

Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi (vc), Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, Aamir Jamal, Sajid Khan.

READ: Shan Masood explains Sarfaraz Ahmed’s exclusion from Boxing Day Test

Ghulam Fatima and Nashra Sandhu returned with figures of 2-59 each for Pakistan, while Umm-e-Hani also bagged one wicket.

In response, the Pakistan women’s team lost their first two wickets with only 37 runs on the scoreboard.

However, Bismah Maroof and Aliya Riaz helped their side stabilize with a partnership of 101 runs for the third wicket before Jessica Kerr caught and bowled Riaz.

Riaz scored a cautious 44 off 84, featuring four boundaries.

Maroof was then joined by captain Fatima Sana and they added a quick 35 runs for the fourth wicket but Fran Jonas ended Maroof’s stay at a total of 173.

Maroof top-scored for the Pakistan women’s team with 68 runs from 86 balls with the help of five boundaries.

Sana also departed soon after a 36-run knock from 33 balls, followed by Natalia Pervaiz’s cameo of 26 off 23.

Najiha Alvi held on her end amid falling wickets and was required to score eight runs from the last over with only one wicket in hand.

But she managed to get only seven, ending the match in a tie which enforced the super over.

Alvi scored an unbeaten 26 from 29 balls with only one boundary.

Lea Tahuhu and Amelia Kerr picked two wickets each for New Zealand.

Pakistan’s Bismah Maroof was adjudged player of the match, while Amelia Kerr was awarded player of the series.

LAHORE: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Monday met with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Kakar appreciated the measures undertaken by the PCB management committee and expressed his support.

PM Kakar also urged the PCB Chairman Management Committee Zaka Ashraf to expand PCB’s outreach to remote regions of the country.

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PM Kakar also expressed support for the organisation of the ninth edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL). Addressing concerns about potential scheduling clashes with election day, he said adjustments to the HBL PSL matches should be made to prevent any interference with the voting process.

Emphasising the significance of fostering stronger bonds with other cricket boards, PM Kakar commended PCB’s efforts and stressed the importance of enhancing relations with boards like Cricket Australia (CA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

PM Kakar urged the PCB to collaborate closely with stakeholders and security agencies in preparation for the successful hosting of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

He reiterated the government’s support for the PCB’s initiatives aimed at fostering cricket across all levels within the country.

READ: Mohammad Hafeez expresses disappointment over slow wicket in Canberra

Pakistan Women with this victory took an unassailable lead in the three-match T20I series, having defeated New Zealand women, also known as White Ferns, in the first T20I at the same venue on Sunday by seven wickets.

This marks only the second win for the Pakistan women’s team over third-ranked New Zealand.

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After being asked to bat, Pakistan scored 137 for six in their allotted 20 overs, the highest score against New Zealand in this format.

Muneeba Ali top-scored for the side with 35 off 28 balls, hitting six fours. Player of the match, Aliya Riaz, smashed three fours and a six in her unbeaten knock of 32 off 22 balls to help her side post a respectable total.

For the White Ferns, Molly Penfold and Fran Jonas bagged two wickets each.

In turn, Pakistan bowlers kept it tight from the beginning, restricting the White Ferns from scoring runs.

Nashra Sundhu, playing her 50th T20I match today, bowled economically in the middle overs, conceding only 22 runs from four overs.

Pakistan captain Nida Dar became the joint-leading wicket-taker in Women’s T20Is alongside Australia’s Megan Schutt when she dismissed Maddy Green for 18 off 23 balls, increasing her tally of scalps to 130 in the format.

The star in the bowling unit was once again Fatima Sana, who gave away 22 runs and bagged three wickets, including the prized scalps of captain Sophie Devine (5, 5b, 1×4) and Suzie Bates (18, 18b, 2x4s).

Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal grabbed two wickets for 29 runs in four overs.

READ: Shan Masood unveils Pakistan’s batting order for first Test against Australia

BAHAWALPUR: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) head Zaka Ashraf on Monday hinted that Pakistan cricketers will be allowed to play only one franchise league apart from Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Talking to journalists here, the PCB head acknowledged that Pakistan cricketers were preferring to play franchise leagues across the world as “they were relatively underpaid”.

“Our cricketers get very little money,” Zaka Ashraf regretted, noting that the PCB was considering to raise payments so that they delightfully sign central contacts.

Earlier, the PCB announced central contracts, first time for a three-year period, with a significant increase in monthly retainers as well as match fees for all four categories.

As many as 25 cricketers will be offered a momentous deal that will include a portion of ICC revenue. Unlike last year, red-ball and white-ball national contracts have been merged.

The list of players will be divided into four categories with significant increases in monthly retainers. Revenue from ICC will be incorporated in overall monthly remuneration.

Category A (3 players): 202 %
Category B (6): 144 %
Category C (2): 135 %
Category D (14): 127 %

Players’ match fees will also see a major hike: 50% increment in Test, 25% in ODI and 12.5% in T20I. Centrally contracted players who are playing domestic cricket will be paid 50% of the international match fee.

Zaka Ashraf – while talking to journalists – pointed out that there was a proposal that the Pakistani cricketers will be allowed to play only one league apart from the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Responding to a question, Ashraf said that he had invited former chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq for a meeting but he resigned from the post before it.
The former cricketer stepped down last month from his post after “conflict of interest” allegations.

He also addressed a controversy surrounding a phone call of Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, saying that he had no conversation with the batter.

Ashraf also expressed best wishes for Babar Azam, saying that he held a telephonic conversation with the skipper following the victory against New Zealand.

Appreciating the players, he said that the Pakistani openers put up a great show in the previous match of the World Cup 2023 against New Zealand. “I talked to the skipper and announced Rs1 million reward for Fakhar Zaman,” he added.

When asked whether Babar would be removed as Pakistan captain if the team fails to qualify for the semi-final spot, Ashraf said the decision will not be made solely as the Cricket Technical Committee (CTC) is there to deliberate on the issue.

READ: Zaka Ashraf dispels rumours of rift in Pakistan team

BAHAWALPUR: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf opened up on the alleged rift within the Pakistan men’s cricket team.

Speaking to the media here on Monday, the PCB head cleared the air on the ongoing controversy regarding the national team, who are participating in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Zaka Ashraf categorically denied any rift within the players and blamed “cricket enemies” for spreading the false rumours.

“There is no infighting in the team,” said Ashraf. “The whole team is united. These baseless stories are created by the enemies of the game.”

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

For the unversed, it was reported in late September that Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi got into an argument when the captain expressed his disappointment with the senior players in the dressing room, after losing the deciding Super Four clash of the Asia Cup to Sri Lanka, which led to their elimination from the continental event.

Reports also suggested that things got pretty tense between Babar and Shaheen after the heated argument before wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan intervened to bring the situation back under control.

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Later, the ace pacer Shaheen took to his Instagram account in the evening, sharing a picture with Babar. He captioned the solo picture from a chess game with “Family”.

Babar, who was in Dubai, then flew down to Karachi to attend Shaheen and Ansha Afridi’s wedding reception in the metropolitan.

It appeared that all was well among Green Shirts but their series of losses in the ICC World Cup 2023 reignited the rumours of a rift, especially among the three frontmen of the national cricket team – Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan.

Meanwhile, Zaka Ashraf then extended well wishes for the national team’s ICC World Cup 2023 campaign.

READ: PCB Management Committee extended by three months

The caretaker federal cabinet has given a three-month extension to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman, led by Zaka Ashraf.

According to the notification issued by the Inter-Provincial Coordination Ministry after the approval from the cabinet, the powers of the PCB Management Committee have been restricted.

The notification states that the PCB Management Committee cannot make any high-level appointments, the Management Committee will conduct the election of the Board of Governors and the Chairman.

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

The Management Committee will deal with day-to-day affairs and cannot make policy decisions.

The notification also states that the PCB Management Committee will not get an extension beyond three months

Ashraf-led PCB Management Committee was formed in July 2023 for a four-month period, and the caretaker PM, using his prerogative as patron of the PCB, has given a three-month extension, said the PCB.

On Thursday, former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi met with Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar to discuss various aspects concerning Pakistan’s cricket.

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During their meeting, Afridi, who previously captained the national team, shared his insights and recommendations aimed at elevating the state of the game in the country.

Shahid Afridi expressed his interest in grooming young cricketers into future stars and positively shaping them into well-rounded representatives of Pakistan cricket.

He also admired and appreciated Mr Zaka Ashraf’s efforts and contributions to Pakistan cricket.

Notably, PM Kakar encouraged Afridi to actively contribute to the enhancement of cricket, particularly focusing on matters pertaining to its improvement.

READ: Pakistan sanctioned for slow over-rate against New Zealand

Former Pakistan captain and star all-rounder Shahid Afridi called on Chairman of the PCB Management Committee Zaka Ashraf today at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

During the meeting, Mr Zaka Ashraf acknowledged Shahid Afridi’s dedication and contribution towards the game.

“We admire you as a hero of Pakistan, and you have proved to be a great ambassador of the country with both your exceptional talent displayed on the field and your conduct off the field. We would love to have your experience for the betterment of Pakistan cricket.”

Watch ICC World Cup 2023 Live on ARY ZAP

Shahid Afridi expressed his interest in grooming young cricketers into future stars and positively shaping them into well-rounded representatives of Pakistan cricket.

He also admired and appreciated Mr Zaka Ashraf’s efforts and contributions to Pakistan cricket.

The meeting comes at a time when the Pakistan cricket team’s performance and the selection process for World Cup 2023 is being discussed in the media.

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Late last month, Inzamam-ul-Haq stepped down as Chief Selector of the Pakistan Cricket Team.

The development came after media reports circulated, claiming that the former cricketer was one of the stakeholders in a player’s management firm, named Saya Corps, in respect to the “conflict of interest”.

Meanwhile, the PCB, minutes after Inzamam’s resignation, took to X, formerly Twitter, to share that it had formed a five-member fact-finding committee to “investigate allegations in respect of conflict of interest”.

“Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has set up a five-member fact-finding committee to investigate allegations in respect of conflict of interest reported in the media pertaining to the team selection process,” PCB stated.

“The committee will submit its report and any recommendations to the PCB Management in an expeditious manner.”

READ: ICC World Cup 2023 not over for Pakistan, says Babar Azam

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf held meetings with renowned former Test cricketers Aaqib Javed, Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq (chief selector) to seek advice in the player development process.

According to the PCB, the Chairman Management Committee, in the near future, is also looking to engage with other former players, which may include Umar Gul, Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq, to seek their opinion on the development process of the current players.

Zaka Ashraf emphasised the Board’s focus towards engaging the expertise of former players, who have represented Pakistan in various capacities, to help groom players as specialised batters, spinners and fast bowlers.

In future, the National Cricket Academy plans to organise a specialised camp with top talent from the domestic circuit.

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The primary goal of this camp is to nurture these players and make them ready for the international stage, in an attempt to bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket.

“These players have served Pakistan at the highest stage and have a treasure of experience under their belts,” said Zaka Ashraf.

“We hope to utilise their expertise to help ensure our players are developed well in all aspects of the game. In this way, we hope we can produce players in all departments of the game that can serve Pakistan in the future,” he added.

The development came after Pakistan’s upset eight-wicket defeat against Afghanistan in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Pakistan currently hold the fifth spot in the World Cup standings with four points in five matches, trailing by Afghanistan.

READ: ECB announces England Men’s Central Contract for 2023/24